Call-box.



C. S. RHOADS, JR.

CALL BOX. AbPucAno'N uED APR. 28. 19.3.

1 9 1 757 1 7 Patented Apr. 27; 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

C. S. RHOADS, 1n.

CALL BOX.

APPLICATION mm APR. 28. m3.

1,137,717. Patented Apr.-27, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEF.T 2.

can snares CHARLES STANLEY RHOADS, 3?, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR,BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T0 HALL SWXTCH & SIGNAL COMPANY A CORPURATION OFMAINE.

CALL-BGX.

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2%. 3915.

Application filed Apri128, 1913. Serial No. 764,252.

.has for its object the provision of an improved device of thischaracter, which is of use more particularly in the sending of impulsesto cause the operation of step-by-step selectors provided at substationson party line systems.

The particular call box of my invention is designed to transmit aplurality of rapidly succeeding impulses, which impulses are thenfollowed by a release impulse which may be of different character thanthe sig naling impulses.

My invention concerns itself primarily with means for the proper sendingof this release impulse, the means at the same time being capable ofsending a prolonged impulse initially before the various steppingimpulses are sent. The initial long impulse acts as a. clearing outimpulse and should be longer than the clearing out impulse becauseusually the rapidity of the wind-up is considerably greater than theunwinding operation so that a larger distance of contact is required. v

My invention also concerns itself with means to provide an adjustablecontact operated by the impulse sending element of the call box, whichimpulse sending element herein takes the form or" a toothed wheel.

The general nature of the call box herein it will be understoml is ofthe character in which a movable element, preferably rotatable, is setby the operator to any desired position corresponding to the sub-stationto be called, whereupon automatic clock or other suitable mechanismturns the element slowly to its initial position during which returnn'iovement the particular substation is selected.

My invention also concerns itself with improved circuit arrangements fora call box of this character, all aswill appear more readily from thedescription which I will now make of one form of carrying out myinvention, which will be given in connection with the accompanyingdrawing in which- Figure 1 is a iront perspective view of a call boxconstructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a View of theconnecting cord with plugs upon which the same may be set for mountingpurposes. Fig. 3 sets forth a diagrammatic View of the circuitarrangements; Fig. isets forth the operating apparatus mounted on therear of the cover; Fig.

5 1s a side view thereof, and Fig. 6 is a side view showing the settingmechanism.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1

and 2, the call box is provided with the front plate 1 having holes 2and a handle 3.

which handle 3 has the finger-piece 4- pro:

: vided with a pin 5 adapted to be set into any of the holes 2,whereupon the element 1 after the pin 5 has been inserted in the properhole is rotated clockwise (Fig. 1) until the pin 5 engages a suitablestopby impinging against the pivoted contact memher 6 to push thiscontact member 6 into engagement with the contact 7,.where it is alsoheld by the limit stop 8. The clock mechanism which is not shown hereinthen rotates the element 1 in a contraeloclrwise direction until a pin 9provided in the dial 1 engages the element 6 and rotates it to positionagainst the stop 10. The shaft 11 which carries the plate 1 alsocarriesthe segmentz'il wheel 12, which segmental wheel in connectionwith the springs 13 and H. is adapted to periodically close contactbetween these springs to send the impulses required.

The call box is adapted to be set upon the base plate 15. having theplugs 16, 1'? and 18 adapted for connecting purposes with acksrespectively 19, Q0 and l. provided in the said plug boxby be ng mountedtherein. By means of this arrange ient the plug box can be readilyremoved should there be any defoot and a new one inserted in place. Acontact spring 22 is provided which is adapted to contact with thecontact plate 23, the construction oi which Contact plate will be morereadily apparent from Fig. As the toothed element 12 is moved in onedirection of rotation, this spring 22 engages the rounded end 2% of thisplate 23 and rides on top thereof the full length'of this contactclement, thus to provide the long initial .impulse as set forth. Then onthe return movement of the element 12 the spring 22 rides under theupper portion 25 of this contact I plate 23 and does not close contacttherewith until engaging the portion 26 so that a short release impulsecan be sent. The springs 13 and 14: are suitably insulatingly mountedupon an adjustable plate 27 which is pivoted by means of any suitablescrew at 28 and has a slot 29, which by cooperating with the screw 30permits ustment of these springs relatively to the teeth 31 of theelement 12.

I have shown in Fig. 3 diagrannnatically the circuit arrangement which Iprefer to employ. The element 12 is preferably connected with the spring14: by means of the conductor 32, and the spring 13 is connected bymeans of the conductor with the jack 20. The spring 7 is connected bymeans of the conductor 34: with the jack 21 and the contact element 6 isdirectly connected with the element 12 through the metallic part of thedevice. -'iihe spring 22 is connected with the jack 19 by means of theconductor 35. A battery 36 is provided in connection with an impulsesending relay 37. This impulse relay 87, through the agency of thearmatures 38 and 39, transmits impulses over the line wires 10 and llfrom the battery 43.

The circuit for the transmission of im pulses may be traced from thejack 20, battery 36, relay 37, jack 21, conductor 34-, spring 7, contactelement 6, conducting element l2, springs H and 13, conductor 33, backto the spring jack 20. Thus each time a tooth engages the spring 1 1 animpulse is transmitted over the line Wires 4:0 and 41.

It will be understood that by reason of the contact element ('3remaining in contact with the spring 7 only on the reverse operation oithe element 12 that the engagement with the teeth 31 during the settingoperation does not cause a transmission of impulses as this element (3is then not in engagement with the spring 7. The spring when engagingthe element 23 is designed to close circuit through a suitable polechanging device 42 for the transmission of the clearing out and releaseimpulses.

, The circuit in that instance can be traced from the jack 19, conductor235, spring 22,

contact element 23, element 12, spring 1 1,

spring 13, conductor 33, jack 20, battery 36,

section 13' of the element 12 maintains engagement between the springs13 and 14, during the time that the spring 22 may be in engagement withthe element 23.

From this it is thought the invention will be readily understood and itwill also be readily understood that changes and modifications can bereadily made Without departing from its spirit.

Having however thus described my invention, what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A' call boxof the character described comprising a toothed element, acontact spring adapted for engagement by the teeth of said element, asecond spring under the control of said element, and a bent plateassociated with said element for engaging said last aforesaid springeither a long or short period of time depending upon the direction ofmovement of said element.

2. A. call box of the character described comprising a toothed element,a contact spring adapted for engagement by the teeth of said element, asecond spring under the control of said element, and means associatedwith said element for engaging said last aforesaid spring. either a longor short period of time depending upon the direction of .movement ofsaid element, said means including a bent plate, said last aforesaidspring being adapted to engage said plate throughout its entire lengthduring one direction of motion, and throughout only a portion of itslength during the reverse direction of motion.

In witness whereoffl hereunto subscribe my name this 11th day ofDecember, A. D. 1912.

CHARLES STANLEY RHOADS, JR.

ll'itncsses:

Jone: N. BARNnY, W. E. HARKNESS.

